| GFI HISTORY
The
Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament traces its roots
all the way back to 1968 when Larry Seminoff and other local
baseball enthusiasts held the first annual International Labor
day Tournament at James Donaldson Park. As the annual tournament
grew and garnered more attention, Seminoff and company were
able to secure a local sponsor in the Grand Forks and District
Credit Union. In 1975, the Grand Forks International Baseball
Tournament, as we know it, was born, and Grand Forks became
home to what is recognized by many as one of the best tournaments
of its kind in North America.
As the years went by, the Grand Forks International’s
roster of teams continued to expand with more and more teams
coming from outside of the Forks’ immediate area with
teams from Seattle, San Diego and Lewiston forming the backbone
of the annual event. Major improvements followed at James
Donaldson Park, with lights being installed in 1981 and the
grandstand being built in 1986, paving the way for the GFI
to become the largest invitational baseball tournament in
Canada.
In 1984 the tournament increased to 12 teams, but it wasn’t
until 1987 when the true “international” flavor
was added as Grand Forks welcomed Japan for the first time
and in 1988; Taiwan. Since then, squads from China as well
as Russia have participated,
with Russia once again
joining the GFI’s roster this year.
Over the years, the Grand Forks International has welcomed
some of the world’s best amateur and semi-professional
players with many going on to play in the ranks of Major League
Baseball. A quick glance at a list of some of the names of
those who have played on the hallowed grounds of James Donaldson
Park could easily make up a World Series champion team. For
instance, 2-time Cy Young Awards Winner and current San Francisco
Giant Tim Lincecum played at the GFI
in 2004 with the Seattle
Studs. 2003 MLB World Series Most Valuable Player and
current Boston Red Sox ace Josh Becket
played at the GFI with the Houston Astros in 1997. Brendan
Ryan, starting shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals played
with the Lewiston Truckers
in 2001, while current New York Mets left fielder and Trail,
British Columbia product Jason Bay, the
winner of the National Leagues 2004 Rookie of the Year award
played with Trail Orioles at the GFI. Starting pitcher, Jeff
Francis, of the Colorado Rockies pitched for Team
Canada in 1999 and Chicago Cubs outfielder, Kosuke
Fukodome, played for Japan in 1997. Two other familiar
names are 2-time World Series champion with the Toronto Blue
Jays and 1993 American League batting champion (.363), John
Olerud, who played with the Washington State Cougars in
1987 and 1988 and Maple Ridge, British Columbia’s very
own Larry Walker who won the 1998 (.361),
1999 (.371), and 2001 (.350) National League Batting titles
and was the National League home run leader in 1997 with 49,
and was also named the National League’s Most Valuable
Player in that same year. Walker played
in the GFI in 1984, and is a future Major League Baseball
Hall-of-Famer.
This prestigious tourney has attracted many of the top semi-pro
teams from the United States and Canada and this year is no
exception. The San Diego Stars
return to Grand Forks winners of the 2004 and 2006 GFI tournaments,
while the Seattle Studs look to add to their 2001 crown. Defending
champions, the Lewiston
Truckers, return as they try to make it back-to-back-to-back
GFI championships, a feat not matched in the history of the
Grand Forks International, and with their eight titles overall,
the most successful team in GFI history. No other team on
this year’s roster has won the GFI; however, every team
at this year’s event will have an equal shot to take
home a portion of the $43,000.00 total prize amount or the
$18,000.00 first place prize.
GFI
Alumni at the Baseball World Cup
| Mark
Hardy |
Emerson
Frostad |
Chris
Kissock |
|
The
2011 World Cup of Baseball is currently being played
in Panama and the roster of Team Canada includes three
Grand Forks International Baseball Alumni. Pitchers
Chris Kissock and Mark Hardy along with catcher/infielder
Emerson Frostad all played at the GFI and all three
are BC born.
Kissock
and Frostad attended Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston
Idaho and participated in Grand Forks with the Lewiston
Truckers. Hardy attended the University of British Columbia
and appeared at the GFI with Team Canada. Emerson (Vancouver
BC) was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2003 and has
reached the Triple A level of the Minor Leagues. Chris
(Trail BC) was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in
2007 and this past season played for their Double A
affiliate in Reading PA. Mark Hardy (Campbell River
BC) is a 2010 draft pick of the San Diego Padres and
just completed an excellent season in Single A. He finished
the year with an ERA of 2.78 and innings pitched (129.1),
both tops on the Fort Wayne TinCaps. He was second on
the team with 11 wins.
There
are 16 nations taking part. At the last World Cup in
2009 Canada did very well, winning the Bronze Medal. |
TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONS
| 1975
|
Seattle
Stoen |
1976
|
Vancouver
T.O.S. |
| 1977
|
Seattle
N.W. Screw Products |
1978
|
Lewiston
Truckers |
| 1979
|
Seattle
N.W. Screw Products |
1980 |
Seattle
Angels |
| 1981
|
Lewiston
Truckers |
1982 |
Springfield Abbey's |
| 1983
|
Grants
Pass Thunderbirds |
1984 |
Lewiston
Truckers |
| 1985 |
Spokane
Bulldogs |
1986 |
Seattle
Swannies |
| 1987 |
Lewiston
Truckers |
1988 |
Team
Japan |
| 1989 |
Washington
State Cougars |
1990 |
Tahoe
Stars |
| 1991 |
L.A.
Rangers |
1993 |
Team
Japan |
| 1994 |
Team
Japan |
1995 |
Lewiston
Truckers |
| 1997 |
Team
Japan |
1999 |
Houston
Astros |
| 2001
|
Seattle
Studs |
2003 |
Houston
Astros |
| 2004
|
San
Diego Stars |
2005
|
New
York Storm |
2006
|
San Diego Stars |
2008
|
Lewiston
Truckers |
| 2009 |
Lewiston
Truckers |
2010 |
Seattle
Studs |
PAST
TEAMS & SCHEDULES
WINNERS
OF THE 2008 GAMES!
1st
- Lewiston Truckers $18,000
2nd - Seattle Studs
$9,000
3rd San Diego $4,000
4th Idaho $4,000
5th -Team Canada
$2,000
6th - Caldwell
$2,000
7th -Reno Allstars
$2,000
8th - Cincinnati
$2,000
|
WINNERS
OF THE 2009 GAMES!
1st - Lewiston
Truckers $18,000
2nd - Burnaby Bulldogs
$9,000
3rd Team Canada
$4,000
4th San Diego $4,000
5th -Prince George
Axemen $2,000
6th - Kamloops
Sundevils $2,000
7th - Seattle Studs
$2,000
8th - Idaho $2,000
|
WINNERS
OF THE 2010 GAMES!
1st
- Seattle Studs $18,000
2nd
- Lewiston Paffile Truckers
$9,000
3rd
- Idaho Warriors $4,000
4th - San Diego
Stars $4,000
5th - Team Canada
$2000
6th -Team Russia
$2,000
7th -Thurston County
Senators $2,000
8th - Trail Orioles $2,000
|
WINNERS
OF THE 2011 GAMES!
1st
- Lewiston
Paffile Truckers $18,000
2nd
- Geelong Baycats $9,000
3rd
- Team Canada $4,000
4th - Seattle Studs
- $4,000
5th - Langley Sr.
Blaze $2000
6th -Thurston County Senators
$2,000
7th - San Diego Stars $2,000
8th - Trail Orioles $2,000 |
GFI
2011 All-Stars
At
Catcher
Geelong Baycats (Australia):
Ryan Stewart
At
First Base
Langley Sr. Blaze:
Scott Webster
At
Second Base
Thurston County Senators: Jon
Poch
At
Third Base
Seattle Studs: Brian Corliss
At
Shortstop
Lewiston Truckers: Bobby Joe Tannehill
All-Star
Outfielders
Thurston County Senators: Mac Acker
San
Diego Stars: Clifton Thomas
Team
Canada: Jerod Bartnik
Designated
Hitter
Geelong Baycats (Australia): Ben Knuth
All-Star
Pitching Staff
Team Canada: David Otterman
Seattle:
Geoff Brown
GFI Tournament Most Valuable
Player
Bobby Joe Tannehill
2010
GFI All Stars Team
At
Catcher
Team Russia: Nikita Mnakhov
He batted .364, with a .917 OBPA, a double,
two stolen bases and countless great plays behind
the dish.
At
First Base
Seattle Studs: Riley Tompkins
He hit .389, batted in 8 runs, a quarter of
his team’s total RBIs, on the strength
of 2 doubles and a big home run.
At
Second Base
Thurston County Senators: Jon Poch
He batted.375 with 2 doubles and made countless
great plays at his position.
At
Third Base
Seattle Studs: Kyle Boe
He batted .391 with a .448 on-base-percentage,
5 runs scored, 3 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.
At
Shortstop
Lewiston Paffile Truckers: Justin Fuller
He batted .467, with 3 doubles, a triple and
6 RBIs.
All-Star
Outfielders
San Diego Stars: Clifton Thomas
He batted.400, slugged .650, he stole 3 bases,
he belted one out of the park, he shined hi
leather in the field and gunned runners down
on the bases
Lewiston
Paffile Truckers: Gino Casini
He batted .455 with 4 doubles, 6 RBIs, 7 runs
scored and a whopping .737 slugging percentage.
Idaho
Warriors: Conner Moore
Fitted with a cannon for an arm, he batted at
a .524 clip with 2 doubles, 6 RBIs, 3 stolen
bases and an impressive 12-19 on-base-plus-slugging
percentage.
All-Star
Pitching Staff
San Diego Stars: David Rider
He pitched a complete game no hitter, including
9 strickouts and 1 walk
Tournament
MVP and pitcher
Seattle Studs: JT Zink
He pitched 15 innings, struck out 11, won two
games and shut out the Lewiston Paffile Truckers
to with his team the championship.
|
|
THE
GFI HALL OF FAME
The
34 Players that made it to the Major Leagues!
click on images for a larger view
 |
Aaron
Sele:
Born:
June 25, 1970, Golden Valley, MN USA
At
the GFI with the Washington State Cougars in
1988, 1989 and 1990
College:
Washington State University
Drafted
in 1991 by the Boston Red Sox
MLB
Debut: June 23, 1993
Career
Highlights: First Round draft pick - 23rd overall,
19 game winner in 1998 for Texas Rangers
Teams
Played for: Boston Red Sox; Texas Rangers;
Seattle Mariners; Anaheim Angels |
 |
Jason
Bay:
Born:
September 20, 1978, Trail, BC Canada
At
the GFI with the Trail Orioles
College:
Gonzaga University
Drafted
in 2000 by the Montreal Expos
MLB
Debut: May 23, 2003
Career
Highlights: 2004 National League Rookie of
the Year, 2004
- Avg. .282; 26 Home runs; 82 RBI's, Twice
he has had 8 RBI's in a game
Teams
Played for: San Diego Padres; Pittsburgh Pirates
|
 |
Jeff
Francis:
Born:
January 8, 1981, Vancouver, BC Canada
At
the GFI in 1999 with Team Canada (University
of British Columbia)
College:
University of British Columbia
Drafted
in 2002 by the Colorado Rockies (First Round, 9 th overall)
MLB
Debut: August 25, 2004
Team
Played for: Colorado Rockies & Kansas City
Royals |
 |
John
Olerud:
Born:
August 5, 1968, Seattle, WA USA
At
the GFI with the Washington State Cougars in
1987 and 1988
College:
Washington State University
Drafted
in 1989 by the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB
Debut: September 3, 1989
Career
Highlights: American League Batting Title in
1993 (.363), American League Batting Runner-up in 1998
(.354), Gold
Gloves - 3
Teams
Played for: Toronto Blue Jays; New York Mets;
Seattle Mariners; New York Yankees; Boston Red Sox |
 |
Josh
Beckett:
Born: May 15, 1980, Spring,
TX USA
At
the GFI with the Houston Astros in 1997
Drafted
in 1999 by the Florida Marlins
MLB
Debut: September 4, 2001
Career
Highlights: Number 2 overall pick in the Major
League draft, 2003 World Series MVP
Team
Played for:
Florida Marlins |
 |
Keith
Foulke:
Born:
October 19, 1972 Ellsworth AFB, WA USA
At
the GFI with the Lewiston Truckers in 1993
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Drafted
in 1994 by the San Francisco Giants
MLB
Debut: May 21, 1997
Career
Highlights: 2003 American League Rolaids Relief
Award, On the mound for final our as Boston Red Sox
win
the World Series in 2004
Teams
Played for: San Francisco Giants; Chicago White
Sox;
Oakland Athletics; Boston Red Sox |
 |
Larry
Walker:
Born: December 1, 1966,
Maple Ridge, BC Canada
At
the GFI in 1984
Drafted
in 1984 by the Montreal Expos as an amateur free agent
Career
Highlights: National League Batting Titles
in 1998 (.361), 1999 (.379), 2001 (.350), National League
Home Run leader in 1997 (49), National
League MVP - 1997, Gold
Gloves - 7
Teams
Played for: Montreal Expos; Colorado Rockies;
St. Louis Cardinals |
 |
Marcus
Giles:
Born:
May 18, 1978, San Diego, CA USA
At
the GFI with the San Diego Stars
College:
Grossmont JC
Drafted
in 1996 by the Atlanta Braves
MLB
Debut: April 17, 2001
Career
Highlights: Career batting average .292. "one
of the most consistent #2 hitters in the Major Leagues"
Team
Played for: Atlanta Braves |
 |
Marvin
Benard:
Born:
January 20, 1970, Bluefields, Nicaragua
At
the GFI in 1991 with the Lewiston Truckers
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Drafted
in 1992 by the San Francisco Giants
MLB
Debut: September 5, 1995
Career
Highlights: In 1998 batted .322. In 1999 batted
.290; 161 hits; 16 home runs
Team
Played for: San Francisco Giants |
 |
Mike
Redmond:
Born:
May 5, 1971, Seattle, WA USA
At
the GFI in 1989-90 with the Spokane Bulldogs
College:
Gonzaga University
Signed
in 1992 by the Florida Marlins as a free agent
MLB
Debut: May 31, 1998
Career
Highlights: Batted over .300 in 4 of his 7
MLB seasons
Team
Played for: Florida Marlins |
 |
Scott
Hatteberg:
Born:
December 14, 1969, Salem, OR USA
At
the GFI with the Washington State Cougars in
1990
College:
Washington State University
Drafted
in 1991 by the Boston Red Sox
MLB
Debut: September 8, 1995
Career
Highlights: First Round draft pick
Teams
Played for: Boston Red Sox; Oakland Athletics
|
|
Chin-Feng
Chen
Born: October 28, 1977, Tainan City,
Taiwan
At the GFI n 1997 with Taiwan.
Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as
an amateur free agent on January 14, 1999 Called up
to September 9, 2002
MLB Debut: September 14, 2002
Career Highlights: First
Taiwanese born player to make an MLB roster. First Taiwanese
born position player to get a hit in the the Majors
Position: 2002-2005. Played 19 games
as outfielder for the Dodgers and was up and down from
Triple A |
|
Tim
Lincecum:
Born: June 15, 1984 - Bellevue, WA
At
the GFI in 2004 with the Seattle Studs
College:
University of Washington
Drafted
in 2006 by the San Francisco Giants in the 1st round.
MLB
Debut: May 6, 2007
Career
Highlights: Cy Young Award winner in 2008.
He is only the 4th pitcher to win a Cy Young in first
full big league season. Led the Major Leagues with 265
strikeouts in 2008. NL All-Star in 2008. 2 - time Pac
10 Conference Pitcher of the Year, 2006 Golden Spikes
Award winner (Best amateur baseball player) March
2010 a
two-year, US$23-million deal with the Giants.
Team
played for: San Francisco Giants |
|
Vic
Darensbourg:
Born:
November 13, 1970, Los Angeles, CA USA
At
the GFI with the Lewiston Truckers in 1991
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Signed
by the Florida Marlins in 1992 as an amateur free agent
MLB
Debut: April 1, 1998
Teams
Played for: Florida Marlins; Colorado Rockies;
Montreal Expos;
Chicago White Sox; New York Mets; Detroit Tigers
|
|
Jason
Ellison:
Born:
April 4, 1978, Quincy, CA USA
At
the GFI in 1999 with the Lewiston Truckers
College:
Lewiston-Clark State
Drafted
in 2000 by the San Francisco Giants
MLB
Debut: May 9, 2003
Team
Played for: San Francisco Giants |
|
Kevin
Stocker:
Born:
February 13, 1970, Spokane, WA USA
At
the GFI in 1990 with the Seattle Studs
College:
University of Washington
Drafted
in 1991 (2 nd round) by the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB
Debut: July 7, 1993
Career
Highlights: Batted .324 in rookie season 1993,
Played
in 1993 World Series vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Teams
Played for: Philadelphia Phillies; Tampa Bay;
Anaheim Angels |
|
Corky
Miller:
Born: March
18, 1976, Yucaipa, CA USA
At
the GFI in 1997 with the Houston (Reno) Astros
College:
University of Nevada-Reno
Signed
in 1998 by the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent
MLB
Debut: September 4, 2001
Teams
Played for: Cincinnati Reds; Minnesota Twins,
Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves & Chicago White Sox
|
|
Steve
Decker:
Born:
October 25, 1965, Rock Island, IL USA
At
the GFI in 1987 with the Lewiston Truckers
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Drafted
in 1988 by the San Francisco Giants
MLB
Debut: September 18, 1990
Teams
Played for: San Francisco Giants; Florida Marlins;
Colorado Rockies; Anaheim Angels |
|
Jeff
Zimmerman:
Born:
August 9, 1972, Kelowna, BC Canada
At
the GFI in 1990 with the Can-Am Royals
College:
Texas Christian University
Signed
as a Free Agent by the Texas Rangers in 1998
MLB
Debut: April 13, 1999
Career
Highlights: 1999: 9-3 won/loss record; 3 saves;
ERA 2.36, 2001: 28 Saves; 2.40 ERA
Team
Played for: Texas Rangers |
|
Mike
Blowers:
Born: April 24, 1965, Wurzburg, Germany
At
the GFI with the Seattle Studs
College:
University of Washington
Drafted
in 1986 by the Montreal Expos
MLB
Debut: September 1, 1989
Career
Highlights: 1995 - 23 home runs, 96 RBI's,
113
hits in 134 games
Teams
Played for: New York Yankees; Seattle Mariners;
Los Angeles Dodgers; Oakland Athletics |
|
Brent
Lillibridge:
Born: Sept. 18, 1983 - Everett, WA
At
the GFI in 2003 with the Seattle Studs
College:
University of Washington
Drafted
in 2005 by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 4th
round
MLB
Debut: April 26, 2008
Teams
played for: Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox |
|
Brendan
Ryan:
Born: March 26, 1982 - Los Angeles,
CA
At
the GFI in 2001 with the Lewiston Truckers
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Drafted
in 2003 by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 7th round
MLB
Debut: June 2, 2007
Teams
played for: St. Louis Cardinals & Seattle
Mariners |
|
Kosuke
Fukudome:
Born: April 26, 1977 - Osaki, Japan
At
the GFI in 1997 with the Japanese National
B Team
Drafted
in 1999 by the Chunichi Dragons in the 1st round
MLB
Debut: March 31, 2008
Career
Highlights: Two Time Central League Batting
Champion in Japan. Led Japan to Gold Medals in the 2006
and 2009 World Baseball Classic. Led Japan to an Olympic
Silver Medal in 1996 and an Olympic Bronze in 2004.
MLB All-Star in 2008
Team
played for: Chicago Cubs & Cleavland Indians.
Note: He played 9 seasons for the Chunichi
Dragons in Japan |
|
Carlos
Fisher
Born: February 22, 1983 in Duarte, CA
At the GFI with the Lewiston Truckers
in 2003 and 2004.
College: Lewis-Clark State
Drafted in 2005 in the 11th round by
the Cincinnati Reds
MLB Debut: May 24, 2009
Career Highlights: Picked up his first
Major League win in his first game. |
Need
Photo |
Joe Strong:
Born:
September 9, 1962, Fairfield, CA USA
At
the GFI with the Seattle Studs
College:
University of California, Riverside
Drafted
in 1984 by the Oakland Athletics
MLB
Debut: May 11, 2000
Team
Played for: Florida Marlins |
Need
Photo |
Anthony
Ferrari:
Born:
June 22, 1978, San Francisco, CA USA
At
the GFI in 1999 with the Lewiston Truckers
College:
Lewiston-Clark State
Drafted
in 2000 by the Montreal Expos
MLB
Debut: June 7, 2003
Team
Played for: Montreal Expos |
Need
Photo |
Tom
McGraw:
Born: December
8, 1967, Portland, OR USA
At
the GFI with the Washington State Cougars in
1986-89
College:
Washington State University
Drafted
in 1990 by the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB
Debut: May 7, 1997
Team
Played for: St. Louis Cardinals |
Need
Photo |
Todd
Linden:
Born:
June 30, 1980, Edmonds, WA USA
At
the GFI in 1999 with the San Diego Stars
College:
University of Washington; Louisiana State University
Drafted
in 2001 by the San Francisco Giants (First Round)
MLB
Debut: August 18, 2003
Team
Played for: San Francisco Giants |
Need
Photo |
Steve
Reed:
Born: August
30, 1992, Los Angeles, CA USA
At
the GFI with the Lewiston Truckers in 1987
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Signed
by the San Francisco Giants in 1998 as an amateur
free agent
MLB
Debut: August 30, 1992
Career
highlights: In top 30 all-time in games pitched
Teams
Played for: Colorado Rockies; San Francisco
Giants; Cleveland Indians; Atlanta Braves; New York
Mets; San
Diego Padres; Baltimore Orioles |
Need
Photo |
Dave
Wainhouse:
Born:
November 7, 1967, Toronto, ON Canada
At
the GFI in 1985-87 with the Washington State
Cougars
College:
Washington State University
Drafted
in 1988 by the Montreal Expos in the first
round
MLB
Debut: August 3, 1991
Teams
Played for: Montreal Expos; Seattle Mariners;
Pittsburgh Pirates; Colorado
Rockies; St. Louis Cardinals |
Need
Photo |
Mark
Small:
Born:
November 12, 1967, Portland, OR USA
At
the GFI in 1987-88 with the Washington State
Cougars
College:
Washington State University
Drafted
in 1989 by the Houston Astros
MLB
Debut: April 5, 1996
Team
Played for: Houston Astros |
Need
Photo |
Tom
Edens:
Born: June 9, 1961, Ontario, OR USA
At
the GFI in 1982 with the Lewiston Truckers
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Drafted
in 1983 by the Kansas City Royals
MLB
Debut: June 2, 1987
Career
Highlights: 1992: in 52 games 6-3 won/loss
record; 3 saves; ERA 2.83
Teams
Played for: New York Mets; Milwaukee Brewers;
Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros; Philadelphia Phillies;
Chicago Cubs |
Need
Photo |
Frank
Williams:
Born: February 13, 1958, Seattle, WA
USA
At
the GFI with the Lewiston Truckers in1978
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Drafted
in 1979 by the San Francisco Giants
MLB
Debut: April 5, 1984
Career
Highlights: 1984: 9-4 won/loss record 3 saves,
1986: ERA 1.20
1987: ERA 2.30 in 85 games
Teams
Played for: San Francisco Giants; Cincinnati
Reds; Detroit Tigers |
Need
Photo |
Chris
Mabeus:
Born February 11, 1979 - Peoria IL
At
the GFI
in 1999 with the Lewiston Truckers
College:
Lewis-Clark State
Drafted
in 2001 by the Oakland A's in the 13th round
MLB
Debut:
May 29, 2006
Team
played for:
Milwaukee Brewers |
|
